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THE  MESSENGERS  Of 


THE  MESSEN< 


THE   MESSENGERS   OF   PEACE 

A  Ollfnatmaa  Albgorg 

BY 

WILLIAM  STANLEY  PARKER 


GIVEN  AT 

THE  TAVERN   CLUB 

AT  ITS  CHRISTMAS  FESTIVAL 

DECEMBER   23 

1915 


PRIVATELY  PRINTED 

BY  THE  TAVERN  CLUB 

BOSTON 

1916 


HEMR"^  ^' 


THE  MESSENGERS  OF  PEACE 


THE  TWO  MESSENGERS 

JUSTICE 

HUMILITY 

SENSE  OF  HUMOR 

SELFISHNESS 

INTEMPERANCE 

DECEIT 

TRUTH 

SACRIFICE 

RESTRAINT 

THE  TWO  PAGES 

A  VOICE 


THE  CHARACTERS 

(JOHN  STURGIS  CODMAN 
[WILLIAM  STANLEY  PARKER 

GEORGE  PIERCE  BAKER 

RICHARD  CLIPSTON  STURGIS 

JOHNBAPST  BLAKE 

LANGDON  WARNER 

LORIN  FULLER  DELAND 

HENRY  COPLEY  GREENE 

BLISS  PERRY 

CHARLES  HOWARD  WALKER 

JASPER  WHITING 
(WILLIAM  JAMES 
I GERALD  BLAKE 

FREDERICK  ELDREDGE  LOWELL 


Before  Dinner 
the  entrance  of  the  messengers 

The  yule  log  has  been  lighted  on  the  hearth,  and  as  the 
yule  song  comes  to  an  end  there  is  a  knock  at  the  front 
door. 

SECRETARY.     Somebody  see  who  it  is  and  tell  him  he 
must  go  around  to  the  side  door. 

3 


THE  MESSENG-EaS  OF  PEACE 

A  MEMBER  ;XQpening  Ike  door  land  seeing  two  strangers^ 
with  whom  he  has  a  few  words) .  It's  not  a  mem- 
ber, but  two  strangers,  who,  I  think,  want  to  speak 
to  you. 

SECRETARY.     The   rule   says  only  that  members  must 

come  in  by  the  side  door  after  seven  o'clock,  and 

that  no  guests  are  allowed.     If  these  are  strangers, 

let  them  come  in ;   they  should  always  be  welcome. 

Enter  the  two  messengers. 

SECRETARY.     Welcome.     What  can  we  do  for  you? 

PEACE  MESSENGER.  'Twould  sccm  wc  havc  not  been 
misled,  and  that  this  is  indeed  the  Tavern  Club. 

SECRETARY.  It  Certainly  is.  We  are  just  starting  our 
Christmas  revels.  May  we  know  the  reason  for 
your  appearance,  and  who  indeed  you  are? 

WAR  MESSENGER.  We  may  not  easily  convince  you 
about  ourselves;  nevertheless,  we  beg  you  to  be- 
lieve that  what  we  say  is  truth,  however  strange 
it  sound  to  ears  of  the  Planet  Earth.  We  are  two 
messengers  from  Mars. 

SECRETARY.  Do  they  teach  English  in  the  schools  on 
Mars  ? 

WAR  MESSENGER.  We  train  perception  in  our  schools, 
not  bloodless  facts.  The  true  tuition  nourishes 
intuition,  imagination.  We  learn  the  fundamental 
principles  of  language,  art,  and  science.  To  us 
there  is  no  foreign  tongue.  Each  of  your  earthly 
languages,  to  you  so  different  from  the  others,  is 
but  a  dialect  of  the  higher  speech,  easily  mastered 
once  the  basic  code  is  understood.  To  see  two 
human  beings  mute  for  lack  of  knowledge  of  each 
other's  tongue  is  strange  indeed  to  us. 

4 


THE  MESSENGERS  OF  PEACE 

PEACE  MESSENGER.  Comrade,  let  us  not  repay  the 
courteous  welcome  of  our  hosts  with  preachings. 
I  do  suspect  they  are  more  interested  in  our  pres- 
ence here  just  now  than  in  the  higher  art  of  edu- 
cation.    Pray  explain. 

SECRETARY.      PlcaSC  do. 

WAR  MESSENGER.  A  year  ago  we  landed  on  your  planet 
hereabouts,  and,  separating,  each  of  us  has  trav- 
ersed your  globe  alone,  seeking  what  he  was  sent 
to  seek.  Our  society,  though  it  has  eliminated 
many  of  the  trials  you  must  still  endure,  is  not 
yet  free  of  strifes  and  struggles,  and  in  an  effort 
to  complete  our  cure  we  have  been  sent  to  the 
Planet  Earth  to  gain,  perchance,  the  key  to  the 
solution  of  eternal  peace.  Wisdom  is  often  easier 
gained  from  failure  than  success,  and  so,  in  this 
matter,  with  your  pardon,  we  have  been  sent  to 
study  your  signal  failures. 

My  comrade's  duty  was  to  discern  the  two  most 
potent  forces  in  your  lives  making  for  peace.  My 
duty  it  was,  with  like  investigation,  to  find  two 
agencies  that  most  inclined  to  war. 

SECRETARY.  Why  did  you  seek  out  this  Club  on  such 
a  quest,  and  how  does  it  happen  you  are  together.'^ 

PEACE  MESSENGER.  Our  visit  on  yom'  planet  was  for 
one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  we  were  to  meet 
again,  and  so  return  to  Mars.  The  year  is  done 
to-night,  and  we  have  met.  But  each  of  us  has 
heard,  from  time  to  time,  high  praises  of  your 
brotherhood,  and  the  quality  of  the  friendships 
you  enjoy.  It  so  impressed  us  both  that,  ere  we 
return,  which  we  must  do  to-night,  we  fain  would 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

taste  of  it  ourselves.  Who  knows!  Perchance 
the  guarded  flame  of  friendship  such  as  yours 
may  be  the  torch  with  which  to  kindle  the  greater 
fire  of  universal  love. 

So,  if  you  will,  we  would  join  you  while  we  may, 
for  soon  to-night  we  must  return  to  Mars,  there 
to  report  our  findings  before  the  supreme  Judge, 
who  on  this  night  each  year  sits  to  dispense  his 
justice  and  to  consider  such  affairs  of  state  as 
may  be  opportune. 

SECRETARY.  Indeed,  you  are  welcome.  Stay,  by  all 
means.  I  know  I  give  the  welcome  of  the  Club. 
Sit  by  our  President  at  the  feast.  With  him  you 
well  may  feel  at  ease.  Both  war  and  peace  he  has 
served;  in  both  gained  victories.  With  the  stars, 
too,  he  is  linked,  our  Mark  having  dubbed  him 
the  Ursa's  Major;  veritably  on  Earth  the  Great 
Dipper — into  his  pocket  for  the  good  of  others. 
Now  let  us  dine,  but  first  the  Club  song. 
"Meum  est"  is  sung,  and  the  company  then  goes  up 

to  dinner. 

After  Dinner 

THE  MESSENGERS'   FAREWELL 

The  PRESIDENT  and  the  two  messengers  precede  the 
company  upstairs,  where  they  are  joined  by  the  secre- 
tary. The  green  drop-curtain  is  down.  The  tapestry 
curtains  in  front  of  it  are  drawn  partly  together.  Two 
lights,  high  up  at  the  hack  of  the  hall,  are  focussed  on  the 
drop-curtain  with  a  strong  light,  yet  leave  the  hall  as  a 
whole  but  dimly  lit. 

When  all  are  seated,  the  secretary  raps  for  order  and 
speaks. 

6 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

SECRETARY.  Members  of  the  Tavern  Club :  We  have 
had  with  us  at  our  Christmas  feast  two  strangers, 
who  are  strange  only  in  the  degree  to  which  they 
share  with  us  the  spirit  of  this  Club.  They  must 
now  leave  us  on  their  homeward  journey,  but 
before  they  leave  they  would  speak  you  their 
farewell. 

The  TWO  MESSENGERS  Step  onto  the  stage,  between  the 
'partly  drawn  tapestry  curtains. 

PEACE  MESSENGER.     Friends,  for  thus  we  are, 
With  common  instincts  and  perceptions. 
That  bind  men  together  forever 
Though  they  meet  but  once. 
We  are  glad  to  have  shared  your  Christmas  feast 
And  to  have  tarried  with  you  for  awhile. 
Cherish  your  rare  associations. 
Drink  deep  of  the  spirit  of  the  guarded  flame, 
The  sacred  leaven  in  the  human  lump. 
A  year  in  search  of  that  which  works  for  peace, 
I  come  at  last  to  this  fair  house  of  yours 
And  find  naught  else.     True,  you  are  humans  all, 
And  in  my  travels  through  your  world  I've  met  all 

kinds. 
And  know  your  virtues,  and  your  failings  too. 
So  I  suspect  within  your  Tavern  breasts 
A  modicum  of  human  weakness  lies. 
Some  power  for  anger,  but  in  good  control. 
A  will  to  hate.     Pray!  do  not  misconstrue. 
Hate  is  a  poison  true. 
But  poison  fed  to  vipers  is  a  boon, 
And  hate  of  the  false  and  ugly  things  of  life 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

That  surges  in  your  blood  no  poison  is, 

But  rather  manna  for  the  dove  of  peace. 

So  seeming  faults  when  properly  applied 

Prove  to  be  virtues;  moths  eat  moths, 

And  the  pest  that  overcomes  a  pestilence 

Becomes  a  blessing  in  its  turn  until. 

Getting  out  of  leash  itself,  it  needs  must  meet 

Its  doom  by  a  greater  pest  in  turn. 

Health  is  not  measured  by  a  lack  of  germs ; 

Rather  by  millions  in  a  useful  balance. 

So  too  with  Peace;  no  partial  vacuum  there. 

But  all  the  sacred  passions  divinely  mixed. 

True  symbol  is  the  color  of  the  dove 

That  stands  for  peace,  pure  white, 

A  blend  of  all  the  colors  known  to  man 

In  just  proportions. 

Leave  out  the  good  blood  red 

And  on  the  wings  a  tinge  of  drab  will  come. 

Marring  the  whole, 

Leaving  it  incomplete  and  negative. 

Color  fit  for  a  pigeon,  impotent, 

A  symbol  for  the  pacifist,  not  peace. 

Here  with  you  we  find  the  mixture  good; 
Youth  and  age  on  equal  footing  met. 
Poetry  and  music  blending  mind  and  soul 
In  loveliest  harmonies. 

Painting  and  sculpture  'neath  this  very  roof 
Show  skill  in  willing  service  of  affection. 
Wisdom  and  charity,  wisely  hand  in  hand, 
Go  forth  from  here  to  serve  mankind  in  need; 
And  all  these  elements  here  I  seem  to  see 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF    PEACE 

Like  shuttles,  wound  with  the  golden  thread  of 

friendship, 
Weaving  a  rich-hued  tapestry  of  life ; 
A  woof  of  fellowship  on  a  warp  of  service. 
I  take  this  picture  back  with  me  to  Mars, 
And  with  a  grateful  heart  I  say  farewell. 

WAR  MESSENGER.     Even  we  Martians,  like  your  doc- 
tors, give  advice 
To  others  that  we  ourselves  do  not  observe. 
My  comrade,  who  did  lately  chide  me  in  your 

presence  for  preaching. 
Has  in  good  sooth  forgotten  his  advice. 
I  will  take  warning  and  be  brief, 
As  our  quick  departure  too  demands. 
Your  Secretary  spoke  the  truth,  indeed, 
In  saying  that  we  share  the  spirit  of  your  Club. 
Here  in  your  world,  I  much  regret  to  find, 
Mars  is  the  symbol  of  the  warlike  spirit. 
Still,  with  us  on  Mars,  worldliness  stands  for  strife; 
So  we  are  quits  for  that. 
With  us  true  friendship  is  much  increased 
Beyond  what  we  have  seen  exists  on  Earth. 
There  we  have  chained  the  commercial  spirit 
To  the  post  of  servant. 
No  more  it  rules  with  us  as  it  does  here. 
Our  lives  are  ordered  for  our  happiness. 
And  ugliness  and  inharmonious  noise  are  crimes. 
So  here  we  find  ourselves  as  it  were  at  home, 
And  parting,  wish  to  leave  behind  with  you 
Some  witness  of  our  love  and  gratitude. 
Friendship  sharpens  perceptions, 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF    PEACE 

And  it  is  with  us  so  far  developed 

That  spirits  in  true  accord  transmit  to  each  other 

A  higher  power  of  vision, 

So  that  each,  in  his  mind's  eye  as  it  were, 

Never  quite  loses  sight  of  the  other, 

However  far  apart  the  two  may  be. 

This  gift  we  leave  you. 

And  if  for  a  moment  after  we  depart 

You  all  will  concentrate  your  friendliest  thoughts 

upon  us, 
Banish  all  else  and  think  of  us  alone. 
The  power  to  follow  us  on  our  homeward  flight 

will  come. 
And  each  mind's  eye  will  then  observe 
All  that  we  do,  and  learn  of  our  report. 
Which  we  must  shortly  make,  as  we  have  told. 
Give  us  your  hearts,  then,  and  you'll  find 
Our  spirit  with  you  after  we  depart. 

Farewell,  good  World,  our  year  has  taught  us  much. 
Perchance  the  seed  that  in  us  has  been  sown 
May  some  day  flutter  back  to  earth  enriched, 
And  growing,  ripen,  so  the  world  may  reap 
A  harvest  of  great  gladness  and  content. 

The  light  goes  out.  The  two  messengers  step 
behind  the  tapestry  curtain  and  go  behind  the  scenes 
ready  for  their  later  entrance.  The  tapestry  curtains 
are  pulled  back  and  the  drop-curtain  raised  on  a  dark 
stage.     The  lights  are  then  gradually  brought  on  full. 


10 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

The  Allegory 
the  court  of  justice 

The  stage  is  enclosed  with  a  semi-circular  wall,  with 
a  central  opening  at  the  back,  beyond  which  a  further 
curtain  terminates  the  view  and  permits  entrance  from 
either  side. 

To  the  left  of  the  opening  is  seen  justice  on  the  throne, 
with  HUMILITY  on  his  right  and  sense  of  humor  on 
his  left.  To  its  right  is  seen  the  jury  of  human  qualities 
with  selfishness  nearest  the  entrance,  and  then,  in 
order,  intemperance,  deceit,  truth,  sacrifice,  and 
RESTRAINT.  Standing  in  the  entrance  at  the  back  are 
two  PAGES.     When  the  lights  are  full  on,  justice  speaks. 

USTICE.     The  labors  of  our  court  approach  their  end. 
The  yearly  crop  of  crimes  our  people  send 
To  us  for  threshing,  marvellously  small, 
Speaks  of  the  day  when  there'll  be  none  at  all. 
For  many  years  we've  strangers  been  to  lust. 
Spite's  like  a  cruel  dagger  thick  with  rust 
Through  lack  of  use,  and  brutal  violence 
Long  has  been  tamed. 

SENSE  OF  humor.     Like  a  bull  with  common  sense. 

justice.     Still  have  we  faults,  less  manifest  than  these, 
Insidious,  subtle,  like  a  fell  disease. 
That  cripples  life.     Still  lurking  Deceit, 
Like  ancient  Janus,  two-faced;  waits  to  greet 
Each  novice  passing  the  gates  of  enterprise; 
Giving  false  promise,  paving  his  path  with  lies. 
And,  as  of  old  the  Janus'  temple  door. 
Ever  wide  open  during  time  of  war, 

11 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF    PEACE 

When  shut  was  a  sign  of  universal  peace, 
So  now  'twill  prove  a  symbol  of  release 
From  many  of  the  ills  the  times  afford, 
When  sly  Deceit  shall  stray  no  more  abroad. 

DECEIT.     I'm  much  maligned  beyond  my  just  deserts. 
'Tis  self-defence  against  the  grievous  hurts 
That  others  would  inflict  that  makes  me  use 
My  thrust  and  parry  that  you  so  abuse. 

SENSE  OF  HUMOR.     The   acme   of  deceit  is   here  per- 
ceived, 
When  by  his  own  deceit  he  is  deceived. 
Who  lies  to  live  soon  lives  to  lie,  forsooth, 
Till  e'en  to  himself  he  cannot  speak  the  truth. 

JUSTICE.     'Tis  not  Deceit  alone  that  doth  disturb. 
Hectic  Intemperance  still  requires  a  curb. 
Intemperate  thought  and  action  both  conspire 
To  spoil  the  effect  both  thought  and  act  desire. 
With  faculties,  like  harp-strings,  wisely  taught, 
Our  lives  with  harmonious  actions  would  be  fraught; 
But  overstressed  they  soon  get  out  of  key, 
And  discords  come  instead  of  harmony. 
The  keyboard  of  our  lives,  on  which  we  play 
The  tune  by  which  we're  gauged  on  Judgment  Day, 
Has  for  its  deep-toned  bass  the  worthier  things, 
While  pleasure,  care  free,  in  the  treble  sings. 
Together,  nicely  blended,  both  should  be. 
The  worthier  bass  alone  lacks  melody. 
In  tripping  treble,  with  no  firm  support 
On  deeper  tones,  but  trivial  tunes  are  wrought. 

SENSE  OF  HUMOR.     Music  for  thosc  who  seek  a  frivo- 
lous goal. 
The  syncopated  rag- time  of  the  soul. 

12 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

JUSTICE.     More  than  all  other  ills  that  we  endure, 
Selfishness  doth  elude  attempted  cure. 
Now,  with  Deceit  it  makes  unholy  pact, 
And  lurks,  insidious,  'neath  a  generous  act. 
Now,  brazen-faced,  it  strides  its  chosen  way, 
Crushing  'neath  callous  feet  its  luckless  prey. 

SELFISHNESS.     The  truth  in  what  you  say  I  fail  to  see. 
'Tis  envy  sneers  at  my  ability. 
And  calls  it  greed. 

SACRIFICE.  You  are  indeed  quite  blind 

To  what  is  most  worth  while.     Like  all  your  kind. 
With  eyes,  obedient  to  the  self-centred  brain, 
Fastened  unblinking  on  some  unworthy  gain, 
With  tragic  blindness,  that  can  never  see 
In  sacrifice  the  opportunity 
To  make  life  richer,  fellowship  more  blest. 
You  hurt  the  worst  those  that  you  love  the  best. 
A  gong  is  struck  thrice  outside. 

JUSTICE.     A  year  ago  two  Messengers  we  sent 
To  the  Planet  Earth,  with  serious  intent 
From  its  unhappy  history  to  evolve 
A  key  to  the  riddle  we  ourselves  would  solve. 
Eternal  Peace.     Now  before  our  court 
The  Messengers  are  ready  to  report. 
The  gong  that  marked  their  advent  has  been  heard. 
Bid  them  appear.     Listen  to  what  occurred 
Upon  their  travels  yonder  on  the  Earth, 
And  may  we  find  their  experience  of  worth. 
The  PAGES  have  stepped  out.     They  now  return  taking 

their  places  against  the  back  curtain.     The  messengers 

enter  and  make  obeisance,  and  then  take  their  positions  at 

the  entrance.     As  they  speak  they  each  step  slightly  f or- 
is 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF    PEACE 
ward,  and  afterward  take  their  positions,  standing,  beside 

HUMILITY  and  SENSE  OF  HUMOR. 

JUSTICE.     Good  Messengers,  we  wait  upon  your  words, 
Expectant  of  the  wisdom  you  have  gained 
Upon  your  travels.     Tell  us  what  you  found 
Upon  the  Planet  Earth,  and  what  deduced 
From  your  experience  there,  that  offers  hope 
That  some  day  we  may  gain  a  lasting  peace. 

WAR  MESSENGER.     Our  journcy  has  been  made  as  it 
was  ordered. 
Throughout  the  year  we  travelled  far  and  wide 
On  separate  paths,  seeking  our  separate  goals. 
Meeting  again  only  upon  the  time 
Of  our  return.     My  duty  was  to  seek. 
From  out  the  tangle  of  the  World's  events, 
Two  factors  that  most  served  to  foster  war. 
Many  I  found  that  lent  their  vicious  aid 
To  that  result,  and  oh  the  tragedies ! 
Millions  enslaved  to  serve  the  greed  of  one. 
Calamity  from  pettiest  actions  wrought. 
A  single  murderous  act  of  violence. 
Flung  on  the  peaceful  surface  of  the  world. 
Like  a  pebble  snapped  to  the  surface  of  a  pool, 
Starts  ripples  of  hate  that  widen  beyond  control. 
Until  the  whole  earth  rocks  with  frightfulness. 
And  calm  reflection  of  higher  things  must  cease. 
Until  the  paroxysm  doth  subside 
From  sheer  exhaustion.     Underlying  all 
The  pettiness  of  strife  I  seemed  to  see 
Two  causes,  noble  in  themselves,  and  yet 
More  than  all  others  fostering  cruel  hate 
That  feeds  on  war.     First,  Patriotism, 

14 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

Whose  varied  banners,  since  the  world  began, 

Have  floated  o'er  the  ranks  of  armed  men 

In  every  battle.     Patriots  never  yet 

Have  stopped  to  question  if  their  cause  be  just; 

Or  if  they  stopped  and  found  their  cause  most  vile, 

Still  would  they  fight,  their  country  to  maintain 

Against  the  attacks  of  others.     Under  the  spell 

Of  patriotic  plea  a  leader  keen 

Can  cause  his  people,  hypnotized,  to  fight 

His  selfish  battles,  that  to  them  bring  naught 

But  suffering  and  bondage  still  more  deep. 

The  other.  Religion,  under  whose  fair  name 

The  worst  excesses  known  to  man  have  found 

Justification.     Great  crusades  of  conquest 

Plough  their  relentless,  egotistic  way. 

In  the  name  of  a  sacred  God,  to  trample  down 

The  sacred  Gods  of  others  in  the  dust. 

O  dreadful  paradox !    that  a  noble  faith, 

Founded  on  brotherly  love  and  charity. 

Can  foster  such  distortion  of  the  mind 

That  charity  is  put  in  leash,  and  love 

Is  turned  to  bitterest  hate  against  a  foe 

Whose  only  guilt,  a  faith  no  less  sincere. 

The  elements  have  power  for  good  or  ill. 
Whoe'er  invokes  them  needs  a  controlling  will. 
The  fires  of  the  human  soul,  if  uncontrolled. 
Can  devastate  with  bitterness  untold. 
So  men,  when  grievous  happenings  befall. 
On  Patriotism  and  Religion  call. 
Their  selfish  instincts  to  endow  with  life, 
And  fill  the  world  with  bitterness  and  strife. 

15 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

PEACE  MESSENGER.     Strangely    alike    our    judgments 
seem  to  be, 
Freighted  perchance  with  deep  significance. 
Seeking  the  greater  elements  of  peace, 
The  same  two  motives  seemed  to  dominate 
The  life  of  man,  Religion  and  Patriotism, — 
Devotion  to  God  and  to  his  fellow-men. 
While  on  the  surface  motives  seem  to  take 
The  colors  of  unworthy  enterprise. 
Deeper  within  their  truer  color  lies. 
The  restless  surface  of  the  sea  of  life 
Is  whipped  by  the  storms  of  hate  and  violence; 
But  deep  beneath,  the  currents  of  faith  and  love 
Sweep  steadfast  on  in  their  appointed  course. 
Such  instruments  as  these  man  needs  must  learn 
To  use  with  wisdom,  and  it  is  not  strange 
If  in  the  learning  he  should  make  mistakes, — 
Exceptions  that  but  serve  to  prove  the  rule. 
How  Patriotism  ever  spreads  its  net, 
Encircling  larger  and  yet  larger  groups. 
Since  those  first  days  when  neolithic  man 
Allegiance  owed  to  naught  but  his  own  hearth. 
Who  dare  deny  the  day  when  it  shall  sweep 
All  artificial  barriers  away 
And  claim  all  men  in  one  great  brotherhood  .-^ 
And  when  that  day  shall  come  Religion  too 
Shall  find  its  full  expression  in  men's  lives; 
And  differences  of  faith,  that  in  the  past 
Have  caused  world-racking  strife  and  suffering, 
Shall  melt  away  into  insignificance 
Beside  the  common  truths  that  underlie. 

16 


THE    MESSENGERS   OF   PEACE 

JUSTICE.     You've  heard   what    our  good   Messengers 
report. 
Hasty  Intemperance  first  shall  make  retort. 

INTEMPERANCE,     The  slow  of  mind  ever  are  wont  to 
sneer 
And  call  intemperate  that  which  leaps  beyond 
Their  meagre  vision.     I  am  the  essence  of  genius. 
Without  me  none  can  be  supremely  great. 
I  make  the  most  of  things;  develop  all 
The  possibilities  that  lie  within 
Man's  senses.     We  have  a  pair  of  eyes  with  which 
To  see  the  most  we  can.     'Twas  never  meant 
For  us  to  go  through  life  with  eyes  half -shut, 
Denying  the  existence  of  all  superlatives, 
Saying,  thus  far,  no  farther;  taste  no  more 
Of  this;  of  that  thou  shalt  not  further  touch. 
By  what  assumed  authority  dost  thou 
Settle  the  limits  of  man's  experience.'' 
No  progress  yet  was  made  without  my  aid. 
The  patriot,  lacking  my  fervor,  ne'er  would  leap 
The  battlements  of  oppression,  there  to  see 
The  dawn  of  greater  freedom  as  he  falls. 
The  martyred  priest,  whose  great  seK-sacrifice 
Gives  to  the  world  a  priceless  heritage 
Of  inspiration,  had  not  died  so  great, 
Or  lived  so  greatly,  were  it  not  for  me. 
So  in  your  rightful  seeking  after  peace 
Do  not  forget  my  spirit  must  not  cease. 
No  peace  a  lasting  peace  will  ever  be 
That  does  not  find  itself  at  peace  with  me. 

SENSE   OF  HUMOR.     Ha,   ha!   good   champion   of   the 
thirsty  throat, 

17 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

Securely  you  can  count  upon  my  vote. 
You  are  indeed  the  seasoning  of  our  lives, — 
The  human  salt  and  pepper,  onions,  chives. 
All  that  combine  to  make  life's  salad  rich 
And  make  life's  palate  with  satisfaction  twitch. 
But  if  you're  wise  you'll  not  deny  my  aid. 
Before  your  salad  is  completely  made, 
A  dash  of  humor  wiped  around  the  bowl, 
Like  garlic,  gives  a  flavor  to  the  whole. 

JUSTICE.     Intemperance  has  his  virtues  frankly  told. 
Now  let  Restraint  his  argument  unfold. 

RESTRAINT.     I  would  uot  undcr-ratc  the  fire  with  which 
Intemperance  in  his  nobler  moments  burns. 
The  power  he  generates  needs  a  restraining  curb 
In  application.     Were  it  not  for  me 
His  splendid  energy  would  waste  itself 
In  useless  noise,  like  the  escaping  steam 
That,  bursting  the  bonds  that  give  to  it  its  power, 
Misses  the  piston  it  was  meant  to  drive. 
And  spends  itself  in  wild  futility. 
I  am  the  spirit  of  true  economy; 
The  governor  on  the  engine  of  the  world. 
And  not  alone  in  great  emergencies 
My  virtue  lies.     The  small  events  of  life. 
From  day  to  day,  need  my  attention  more, 
That  from  them  seeds  of  excess  may  not  be  sown 
From  which  a  crop  of  sorrow  shall  be  reaped. 
The  world  swings  forward  on  its  reckless  course. 
Neglecting  all  precautions  as  it  goes. 
Passing  with  unobservant  eye  the  signs 
That  in  profusion  point  its  certain  end. 
Till  of  a  sudden  in  its  frantic  path 

18 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF    PEACE 

A  deep  abyss  of  conflict  cuts  across. 
Then  with  a  sinking  heart  it  doth  implore 
The  brakes  of  self-restraint  to  check  its  speed 
And  save  it  from  disaster.     But  too  late! 
On  a  nice  balance  in  our  daily  trend 
The  whole  world's  equilibrium  doth  depend. 
When  over  little  things  each  gains  control. 
And  not  till  then,  will  peace  come  to  the  whole. 

JUSTICE.     Selfishness  is  no  stranger  to  conceit. 
No  doubt  he  is  sure  he  knows  the  true  receipt 
For  peace.     So  let  us  lend  a  patient  ear 
While  Selfishness  as  Wisdom  doth  appear. 

SELFISHNESS.     I  am  amused  at  all  your  sophistries 
Of  altruism.     Every  forward  step 
In  the  history  of  the  world  has  come  about 
By  the  clash  of  selfish  interests, — nature's  flints. 
From  which  the  spark  of  progress  best  is  struck. 
The  noble  patriot  fights  for  selfish  gain. 
It  is  not  freedom  for  freedom's  sake  he  wants, 
So  much  as  freedom  from  some  oppressive  tax, 
Or  greater  commercial  opportunities 
That  promise  wealth  and  great  prosperity. 
The  ruler  who  can  hold  his  tribes  in  leash, 
So  that  they  needs  must  fight  as  he  dictates. 
Has  the  power,  and,  having  power,  the  right. 
To  take  what  he  can  get,  until  the  time 
When  some  born  leader  fosters  a  revolt 
Among  his  subjects.     Then,  the  tables  turned. 
They   take  for   themselves   what  he   for  himself 

would  take. 
Strip  from  each  patriot  that  you  glorify 
The  glittering  raiment  of  hypocrisy, 

19 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF    PEACE 

And  underneath  but  common  flesh  you'll  find, 
Ruled  by  the  selfish  instincts  of  mankind. 
'Tis  better  so;  the  cards  all  on  the  table, 
And  let  each  man  secure  what  he  is  able. 

JUSTICE.     Such  frankness  is  not  hard  to  understand. 
Now  let  Deceit,  his  partner,  show  his  hand. 

SENSE  OF  HUMOR.     He  would  not  be  Deceit  if  he  did 
that. 
Yet  he  will  have  his  story  down  quite  pat. 
As  the  juggler  palms  his  coin  beneath  your  eye. 
He'll  palm  the  truth  and  substitute  a  lie. 

DECEIT.     There's  little  use  for  me  to  speak  the  truth; 
Since  you  have  given  me  so  bad  a  name. 
You'd  not  believe  it  if  'twere  told  by  me. 
Selfishness  speaks  the  truth.     His  spirit  rules, 
And  rightly  so,  the  progress  of  the  world. 
'Tis  the  only  honest  policy  there  is. 
With  that  admitted,  everything  is  fair. 
My  skill  his  natural  ally  is.     No  rules 
You  need  to  play  the  game;  everything  goes. 
The  complex  code  of  life  you  would  adopt 
Is  needless.     All  hypocrisy  is  dropped. 
Forget  the  subtle  schemes  that  you  have  planned 
And  play  a  game  the  world  can  understand. 

JUSTICE.     How  blind  indeed  philosophers  have  been 
To  overlook  the  virtues  of  this  pair. 
More  notable  perhaps  their  strength  to  resist 
The  greater  logic  we  have  used  in  vain. 
Let  Truth  once  more  come  forward  to  the  attack 
And  put  Deceit  again  upon  the  rack. 

TRUTH.     'Tis  difiicult  to  put  him  on  the  rack 
Who  hath  so  many  aliases  in  his  sack. 

20 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

In  every  walk  of  life  he  plays  his  game, 
Always  disguised  by  some  more  worthy  name; 
But  call  it  diplomacy  or  what  you  will. 
The  odor  of  deceit  hangs  round  it  still. 
The  cards  all  on  the  table?     That  is  true; 
But  stacked  by  the  dealer,  if  the  dealer's  you. 
Who  from  long  practice  have  acquired  the  knack 
Of  dealing  from  the  bottom  of  the  pack. 
You  argue  we  should  make  deceit  the  rule. 
A  disingenuous  plea  to  trap  a  fool. 
If  it  so  became  at  once  you'd  lose  the  place 
Your  monopoly  now  gives  you  in  the  race. 
There  is  one  fortress  that  defends  your  throne 
That  first  must  be  completely  overthrown, — 
Deceit  of  self,  that  salient  point  of  thrust. 
Which  lost,  your  defence  would  crumble  into  dust. 
How  oft,  against  a  weak  intelligence. 
The  specious  pleas  of  quick  expedience 
Lead  us  to  take  some  by-way  in  our  haste 
That  promises  a  short  cut  to  our  taste, 
But  proves  a  devious  way  whene'er  it's  tried, 
Through  which  Deceit  alone  can  be  our  guide. 
Short-sighted  eyes,  that  see  not  stretching  there 
The  great  highway  of  truth,  surpassing  fair, 
That  broad  and  smooth  leads  straight  to  every  goal. 
And  gives  true  satisfaction  to  the  soul. 
When  each  shall  for  himself  that  pathway  take. 
The  world  will  then  to  lasting  peace  awake. 
JUSTICE.     The  broad  highway  of  truth  is  never  trod 
Without  self-sacrifice,  so  now,  I  pray. 
That  Truth  has  shared  his  confidence  with  us, 
Let  his  companion  add  his  counsel  too. 

21 


THE    MESSENGERS   OF   PEACE 

SACRIFICE.     'Tis  the  irony  of  fate  that  selfishness, 

Which  more  than  aught  else  impels  a  man  to  strive, 

Blinds  him  to  what  is  most  worth  striving  for. 

He  labors  unceasing  whims  to  satisfy; 

For  the  greater  satisfactions  he  cannot  see, 

With  what  rare  zeal  he'd  strive,  if  he  but  saw. 

Although  he  shuns  material  charity 

Of  gifts  to  those  less  favored  by  the  world. 

More  vital  far  the  moral  charity 

That  in  his  selfish  spirit  finds  no  place. 

With  what  supreme  intolerance  he  views 

Opinions  that  are  at  variance  with  his  own ! 

Arrogant  of  his  own  integrity, 

The  motives  of  others  freely  he  impugns. 

And,  all  unconscious,  judges  their  honest  acts 

By  the  low  standards  he  for  himself  hath  set. 

How  dulled  his  imagination  hath  become 

Of  the  point  of  view  of  others.     Strange  indeed 

The  inconsistencies  of  selfishness. 

A  man  can  spend  his  life  in  most  sincere 

And  willing  service  of  his  fellow-men. 

Keen  to  observe  and  ease  their  suffering 

With  big,  far-sighted  generosity. 

And  yet  by  acts  of  petty  selfishness 

Can  make  the  lives  of  those  he  cares  for  most 

A  dreary  burden.     'Tis  indeed  most  meet 

That  charity  should  begin  at  home,  with  those 

With  whom  we  share  each  day's  experience. 

The  veriest  tyrant  hath  capacity 

For  some  great  climax  of  self-sacrifice. 

Of  greater  moment  to  a  troubled  world 

The  humbler  but  more  constant  sacrifice 

22 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

That  finds  expression  in  each  littlest  act. 

And  more  than  aught  else  we  all  should  strive  to 

gain 
A  deeper,  truer  charity  of  mind, 
That  gives  that  benefit  of  doubt  to  each 
That  we  would  have  others  give,  alike,  to  us. 
JUSTICE  (turning  to  sense  of  humor).     Good  Friend, 

you  always  stand  us  in  good  stead 
In  time  of  need.     You've  heard  what  has  been  said. 
Have  you  the  wit  to  see  some  common  link 
In  these  two  chains  of  argument.'^     Some  kink 
There  is  in  each,  perchance,  that,  straightened  out, 
Would  put  their  seeming  differences  to  rout. 
SENSE  OF  HUMOR.     Mistake    me    not    for    wit.     He 

spokesman  is. 
I  am  the  silent  partner  in  the  biz. 
He  pays  his  way  through  life  with  notes  of  mirth. 
'Tis  my  endorsement  gives  his  notes  their  worth. 
I'm  but  a  background  for  the  passing  show, 
'Gainst  which  its  outlines  you  may  truly  know. 
The  lens  that  serves  to  bring  a  focus  nice 
To  the  astigmatic  eyes  of  prejudice. 
These  selfish  pals  my  virtues  will  not  see. 
We  still  are  strangers  and  shall  ever  be. 
Self-sacrifice  needs  my  guiding  hand. 
Without  me  he  oft  fails  to  understand 
His  proper  limits;   and  when  he  turns  his  back 
Upon  Restraint  as  well,  and  takes  the  tack 
Intemperance  points,  he  takes  an  aspect  queer. 
And  as  a  New  England  conscience  doth  appear. 
Without  my  counsel  our  good  friend  Restraint 
Becomes  intemperate  as  the  ascetic  saint, 

23 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF    PEACE 

And  in  his  zeal  forgets  his  common  sense, 
And  mistakes  for  temperance,  total  abstinence. 
Alone  among  them  all  Truth  stands  apart 
And  needs  me  not.     The  others  need  my  art 
That  they  may  all  more  clearly  recognize 
The  truth  beneath  its  manifold  disguise. 

JUSTICE.     True  to  his  nature,  good  Humility 
Sits  humbly  by,  waiting  with  patience  rare 
Such  opportunity  as  may  arrive 
For   him   to   speak.     The   time   has   come,   good 

Friend, 
When  we  would  have  your  counsel.     Tell  us,  pray. 
What  you  believe  to  be  the  surest  road 
Toward  that  peace  to  which  we  all  aspire. 

HUMILITY.     You  do  uot  find  my  silence  a  surprise. 
'Tis  seldom  that  one  hears  my  voice  with  those 
That  swell  the  conversation  of  our  time. 
The  strident  tones  of  noisy  arrogance 
Drown  out  the  calmer  voices  in  the  throng. 
As  the  wild  animal,  filled  with  unreasoning  fear, 
Bellows  to  fright  the  noise  that  frightens  him. 
So,  with  his  own  noise,  arrogance  tries  to  kill 
The  still  small  voice  within  that  whispers  doubt. 
The  modern  child.'*     Alas!  he  knows  me  not. 
Youth  over-fed  with  opportunity 
Makes  a  dyspeptic,  egotistic  age. 
In  which  humility  is  an  unwelcome  guest. 
More  oft  the  scientist,  with  knowledge  deep 
Of  many  secrets  of  the  universe. 
Is  humbled  by  the  secrets  yet  unsolved. 
And  gains  a  power  from  that  humility 
That  leads  him  on  to  deeper  knowledge  still. 

24 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

Assurance  based  on  knowledge  stimulates 
To  further  knowledge.     Arrogant  conceit. 
With  naught  but  worldly  wisdom  as  its  cause, 
Denies  the  greater  wisdom  of  the  world. 
How  oft  is  that  which  we  hold  certain  shown 
To  be  untrue !     How  seldom  do  we  find 
Ourselves  less  sure  through  such  experience! 
Knowledge  is  power;  the  greatest  power  of  all 
A  knowledge  of  what  we  have  not  yet  attained. 
Humility  oft  with  weakness  is  confused. 
It  was  not  so  with  Christ.     Humility 
Gives  us  a  saner  poise  in  all  our  acts, 
A  surer  balance,  with  our  feet  well  braced 
Against  the  rocks  of  the  eternal  truths. 
The' braggart  egotist,  vain  of  his  small  powers, 
Buries  the  truth  in  the  sands  of  compromise, 
And  stands  awhile  complacently  at  ease. 
Till  in  some  crisis  he  is  caught  and  finds 
The  shifting  sands  give  him  no  foot  secure 
To  brace  himself  against  the  push  of  fate. 
Let  us  brush  from  our  eyes  all  vain  conceit 
And  see  ourselves  in  just  comparison 
With  the  great  immensities  of  time  and  truth. 
Then  may  we  gain  for  ourselves  some  modest  share 
Of  Christ's  humility,  and  help  to  bring 
A  Christian  peace  into  a  troubled  world. 
JUSTICE.     You  all  have  spoken,  and  the  truth  appears 
Self-evident.     A  painter  wastes  his  time 
Attempting  some  great  fresco  that  involves 
A  complex  group  of  figures  till  he's  learned 
To  draw  with  certainty  a  single  form. 
Until  we  all  have  gained  a  right  control 

25 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF   PEACE 

Of  ourselves,  how  can  we  hope  to  regulate 
The  peaceful  composition  of  the  world? 
With  cities  ruled  by  deceit  and  selfishness, 
And  racked  with  evil  passions  uncontrolled, 
Nations  have  little  hope  to  win  relief 
From  blighting  wars  that  serve  a  nation's  greed. 

Let  each  man  purge  his  own  soul  of  unworthiness; 

Put  away  selfish  greed  and  foul  deceit; 

Rule  his  own  thoughts  with  charity  of  mind; 

And  in  the  service  of  his  fellow-men 

Find  the  supreme  delight  that  life  can  give. 

Then  will  the  world  be  gloriously  freed 

Of  civic  faults  and  national  jealousies, 

And  nations  guide  their  acts  by  that  same  code 

That  for  themselves  their  citizens  adopt. 

O  thou  great  citizen  of  heaven  and  earth. 
Who  died  that  we  might  learn  how  best  to  live. 
If  there  be  hope  that  we  may  yet  attain 
To  your  divine  humility  and  grace, 
Give  us  some  token  we  can  recognize. 
That  we  may  feel  your  guiding  spirit  near 
And  struggle  on  to  gain  that  lasting  peace 
That  passeth  the  understanding  of  our  world. 


26 


THE    MESSENGERS    OF    PEACE 

As  JUSTICE  ends,   a  voice   in  the  distance  is  heard 
chanting: — 


II         I     ^  I       I       i L.    L.    t^ 


S 


O     Wis-dom,  which  ca-mest    out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Most  High, 


-m-        0       -r— I  H 


-fa»' li»         »*- 


Come, 

and    shew   us   the  way    of 
'-v          cres.             _ 

un  -  der-stand    -    ing. 

O  Em  -  man-u  -  el,—     Our  King  and  Law-giv-er,  Hope  of    all     Na-tions, 
allargando.  11— —•~P 


_  piuf 


m^^-^ — ^  I  1    r  I    i-zj=i=:.r  r  i"~T 


and  their  Sa  -  Tiour ;  Come,  and    save—     us,    O  Lord  our    God 1 

During  the  singing  the  lights  are  gradually  dimmed, 
and  as  the  general  light  fades,  a  cross  of  white  light  appears 
at  the  back,  between  and  over  the  heads  of  the  pages,  who 
kneel  in  awe  at  each  side  of  it,  while  the  others  lean  for- 
ward tense  as  they  listen  and  watch.  As  the  voice  ends, 
the  curtain  slowly  falls. 


27 


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